Jackass Boss [COMPLETED]

When heart connected....

"Ju, are you ready?" I asked Julissa, who was busy stuffing her little pink bag with snacks and handmade drawings. She'd been bubbling with excitement all morning, insisting she was going to take care of Jay today.

"I'm ready, Mommy!" she chirped with a beaming smile.

"Sis, they're here!" Tilly called from the doorway as she stepped inside, followed by Jay, Andrew, Finlay, and Isabel.

"Buddy!" Julissa squealed and ran straight into Jay's arms. He scooped her up easily, hugging her tightly.

"Aww... Looks like someone missed me," Jay teased, tapping her nose gently.

I couldn't help smiling at the sight. We'd planned to visit him at his hotel today, but apparently, they'd decided to surprise us instead.

They settled at one of the tables in the front section of my shop. Since this place doubled as my bakery and home, there was no traditional living room — just tables, chairs, a customer counter, and the kitchen at the back. The rooms were upstairs, including mine.

"Here you go," I said, placing a tray on the table with everyone's drinks. "Andrew, hot chocolate. Finlay and Tilly, lattes. Isabel and Jay — black coffee, same drink, huh?" I added with a teasing tone, trying hard not to let the flicker of jealousy show. "And for my favorite customer—" I handed Julissa her mocha, "—extra whipped cream, as requested."

"Jessy sis, let's all have lunch together!" Finlay said, bouncing with energy.

"Sorry, guys. I have work," I said with a small shrug. "Deliveries won't wait."

"Join us, please?" Tilly begged, making her best puppy face.

"Girl," I laughed, placing my hands on my hips, "did you forget I've got cupcakes to deliver? Next time, okay?" I winked at her.

"Hmmph."

As everyone left, I stayed behind, tying on my apron and heading to the kitchen. The oven glowed warmly, the scent of vanilla and sugar filling the room as the cupcakes baked. I leaned against the counter, lost in thought.

Why can't I shake that image from my mind? I clenched my hair in frustration. Isabel. In his shirt. In his room...

"Which image?" a voice startled me.

I jumped and spun around. Jay stood at the doorway.

"When did you—? I didn't hear the bell—" I stammered.

"To say thank you," he interrupted with a shrug.

"For what?"

"For the cupcakes, obviously." His smirk made my stomach drop.

Holy crap. I'd left the box by his door yesterday before walking away heartbroken — and I completely forgot to take it with me.

"So, you did come for me yesterday," he said with that cocky grin of his.

I fumbled with the mixing bowl. "Y-yeah, I guess."

He walked toward me slowly and caught my wrist. "About the note yesterday," he said, lifting my chin. "No — dinosaurs don't exist. You're wrong. And you know what that means."

His hands cupped my face, and before I could react, he kissed me. Hard.

My eyes flew open in shock. That stupid pickup line...

Kiss me if I'm wrong, but dinosaurs still exist, right?

I had written it as a joke, not expecting he'd read it. But as his mouth molded over mine, everything inside me melted. My arms curled around his neck instinctively, and I kissed him back — hot, breathless, desperate. His lips were commanding, his tongue tangling with mine, and I felt the heat ignite in my core.